Cows once roamed a famous dirt track here while the grandstands sat quiet. Now race cars are back, throwing red clay into the evening air.
The place calls itself the Amphitheater of Action. It has permanent seats for more than 9,000 fans, plus a hillside that holds thousands more.
I love that a grassy slope counts as prime seating.
This is a West Virginia comeback story with engines instead of speeches. The track sat mostly unused for years.
Then people decided it deserved another lap.
I believe every small town has a place like this in its memory. Somebody’s dad took them there on a Saturday night.
Somebody still has a faded ticket stub in a drawer. So what does it look like when that kind of place gets a second chance?
A Dirt Oval Sitting Right Off The Interstate
West Virginia Motor Speedway sits in Mineral Wells, close to I-77 in the rolling hills of Wood County. It’s a dirt track built for short-track racing, and it runs on red clay and noise.
The speedway likes to call itself America’s Short Track Showplace. That’s a big claim for a hillside in the Mid-Ohio Valley, but the history backs up the swagger.
Drivers come here to chase Super Late Models, Modifieds, Sprint Cars, and plenty more. Fans come to watch them slide sideways through the turns.
Both groups leave with dust on their shoes.
What makes this spot special is the setting. The track sits down low, and the land rises around it like a natural bowl.
Every seat feels pointed at the action.
Getting here is refreshingly easy for a place this rural. You won’t be winding down a gravel hollow road for an hour.
The interstate does most of the work.
It’s the kind of venue that feels both big-time and homegrown. National series show up, yet the spirit stays proudly West Virginia.
That mix is exactly why the comeback matters so much to folks around here.
Forty Years Of Engines, Silence, And A Second Wind
Racing started here in 1984, though some sources point to May 1985 for the first green flag. Either way, the track has been part of local Saturday nights for four decades.
For years, it ran as a big 5/8-mile dirt oval. Around 2012, the layout reportedly shrank to a 1/3-mile track.
Then things went quiet.
From about 2013 to 2021, the speedway sat largely unused. One fan who returned at the reopening noticed ruts in the ground from cows roaming the property.
That’s a humbling chapter for any showplace.
In 2021, the track reopened after a lot of restoration work. Fans cheered the effort to bring it back to life.
Monster trucks and music festivals even joined the race schedule.
Another big turn came in May 2025. Mike and Becky Hurley of Goldvein, Virginia, bought the speedway and started a fresh chapter.
Plenty of old tracks across the country fade away and never return. This one kept getting back up.
If you grew up nearby, that persistence probably feels familiar. It’s a very West Virginia way to handle hard times.
That Fresh Red Clay Is The New Star Of The Show
Red clay changes everything on a dirt track. Under the Hurleys, the speedway now features a new 3/8-mile semi-banked red clay oval.
Here’s the clever part. The new oval was built inside the infield of the existing track.
So the old footprint still frames the new racing surface.
Recent fans have praised how the surface looks and how smooth it runs. One called the track surface amazing after the new owners took over.
That’s high praise from dirt racing folks, who notice every bump.
Not everybody misses nothing, of course. Some longtime fans still long for the old big track.
The owners have explained that today’s cars, tires, and engines perform better on smaller, more balanced layouts.
That debate is half the fun of racing anyway. Ask three people at a short track about the perfect layout, and you’ll get four answers.
A 3/8-mile oval tends to keep cars close together. Closer cars usually mean more side-by-side moments.
For fans in the seats, that can turn an ordinary heat race into something worth shouting about. Bring your voice.
Why They Call It The Amphitheater Of Action
Nicknames usually oversell things. This one actually fits, because the hills around the track work like a giant outdoor theater.
The speedway offers permanent seating for 9,230 spectators. Another hillside area can hold about 5,000 more.
That’s a lot of people for a country racetrack.
The front-side amphitheater seating is grass. Fans regularly suggest bringing your own chair for the hillside.
Pack one, and you’ve basically reserved your own little box seat.
A few practical notes help here. Walkways can be narrow, and the hilltop slope can feel steep.
If balance is a concern, arrive early and pick a spot that’s easy to reach.
VIP suites have also been part of the setup. One fan described the suite as a cool place to watch.
It’s a nice option if lawn life isn’t your thing.
Still, the hillside feels like the heart of the place. Families spread out, kids get a clear view, and the cars roar below.
It’s a stadium built partly by nature. Not many tracks can say that.
A Hundred Thousand Reasons To Circle The Calendar
$100,000 to win. That’s the finale payout at the Dirt Track World Championship, one of the speedway’s biggest events.
Money like that attracts serious talent. Drivers who usually race far from Wood County suddenly have a strong reason to point their haulers toward the hills.
RaceFest is another headline weekend. It brings the World of Outlaws Late Model Series to West Virginia Motor Speedway.
For dirt fans, that name carries real weight.
The Mountaineer Nationals and the Mark Balzano Memorial round out a packed slate. Each event has its own following and its own kind of buzz.
The schedule spreads across many divisions too. You might see American Crate All-Stars Pro Late Models, Steel Block Late Models, UMP Modifieds, Sport Mods, Tri-State Outlaw Street Stocks, ModLites, or EDGE Hotmods.
That variety matters for newcomers. A single night can show you several styles of racing, from bruising stock cars to nimble smaller machines.
Check the official schedule before planning a trip. Events shift from season to season.
But when a big weekend lands, the hillside fills with anticipation long before the first heat.
The Hillbilly Hundred Still Carries Serious Bragging Rights
Some race names make you grin before you even buy a ticket. The Hillbilly Hundred is one of them, and it’s also one of the most historic weekends in American dirt track racing.
Its name is proudly regional. Around here, that word gets worn like a badge, and this race wears it loudly.
Big historic events give a track its identity. They connect today’s drivers to the ones who chased the same trophy decades ago.
For older fans, a weekend like this can stir up memories. Maybe you remember the first time you heard engines echo across the valley.
Maybe you remember who you sat beside.
For younger fans, it’s a chance to see why grandparents still talk about these nights. History feels different when it’s sliding past at full throttle.
I can’t imagine a better way to understand dirt racing culture in West Virginia. You get speed, tradition, and a little hometown pride all in one package.
If you only make it to one event, this one deserves a hard look. Just confirm the dates first, then bring a chair and plenty of patience for the traffic.
Camping Turns A Race Night Into A Whole Weekend
Over 100 acres of camping. That’s how much room the speedway sets aside for fans who’d rather not drive home after the checkered flag.
The camping is primitive and dry, so plan accordingly. Bring water, power, and the basics you’d pack for any rustic trip.
Several areas offer different vibes. VIP Ridgeline, Reserved PitSide, Creekside, and Overflow camping give you choices based on your budget and your love of being near the noise.
A shower house opens during premier event weekends. Firewood is also sold on-site, which saves you from hauling a trunk full of logs.
Camping changes the whole rhythm of a race weekend. Mornings start slow, afternoons build anticipation, and nights end around a fire swapping opinions about the feature.
For families, it can feel like a mini vacation. Kids get room to roam, and grown-ups get a front-row seat to the racing culture beyond the grandstands.
Reserve early for big events if you want a premium spot. Popular weekends draw fans from many states.
The ridge views are worth claiming before someone else beats you to them.
Snack Bar Classics And A Few Smart Cooler Rules
Race night food is its own kind of tradition. The speedway’s concession stands serve classic race-night staples, the kind of easy comfort food you eat with one eye on the track.
Fans have praised the concessions over the years. Some even called the snack bar prices fantastic around the reopening.
Prices change, so plan for whatever the current menu shows.
Food trucks have joined the mix at some events too. One fan mentioned a Texas-style truck with great food and service.
Coolers have been allowed recently, which helps families stretch a budget. Glass bottles are not allowed, so leave those at home.
Rules can vary by event, so check before you load up the car. Big weekends sometimes come with their own guidelines.
A friendly habit has also caught on. Fans encourage tossing your trash and helping anyone collecting it.
One person even suggested thanking those volunteers for their hard work.
That small courtesy says a lot about the crowd here. People come for speed, but they also look out for the place.
It’s hometown manners with a racing soundtrack.
Who Will Love A Night On This Hillside
Families top the list. The speedway has long had a family-friendly feel, and one fan called it great family time well spent.
Longtime race fans will feel right at home too. Many have cheered the track’s return and the work that brought it back.
Friends of local drivers make up a lively slice of the crowd. Cheering for someone you know adds a whole new layer of excitement.
Retirees with fond memories of old Saturday nights should consider a visit. Seeing a familiar place revived can be surprisingly moving.
A few things are worth knowing ahead of time. Dirt tracks can get dusty, so eye protection helps.
Hillside access has also been tough for some visitors with mobility issues.
Arriving early solves a lot of those headaches. You’ll find an easier path, settle your chair, and watch the track get prepped.
Beyond racing, the property has hosted monster trucks and music festivals. That gives non-racing folks a reason to visit too.
So who won’t enjoy it? Maybe someone who hates noise and loves spotless shoes.
Everyone else should probably give it a shot.
Getting There Without A Single Hairpin Turn
Exit 170 is your magic number. The speedway sits right off I-77, which makes it one of the easier rural venues to find in West Virginia.
The full address is 788 Speedway Rd, Mineral Wells, WV 26150. Plug that in, and the interstate handles most of the trip.
The office keeps posted hours Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM. It’s closed on Sundays.
Race times are a separate matter, so always check the event schedule.
Parking can feel hectic on big nights. Slow down, take your time, and follow directions from staff.
Plan your arrival with the crowd in mind. Earlier is better for parking and for snagging a good hillside spot.
Pack smart before leaving home. A chair, eye protection, sunscreen for day events, and a jacket for cool evenings all earn their space.
Ticket prices vary by event, from regular weekly shows to big-money championships. Look them up ahead of time so nothing surprises you at the gate.
Then just follow the sound. Once the engines fire up, finding the track gets very easy.
Your Next Saturday Night Might Belong To These Hills
Comebacks are easy to root for. Few are as loud as this one.
West Virginia Motor Speedway has lived several lives since the 1980s. It raced, went quiet, reopened in 2021, and gained new owners in 2025.
Today it pairs a fresh red clay oval with a hillside amphitheater that nature practically built. Add major events, plenty of camping, and classic concessions, and you’ve got a full experience.
It isn’t perfect, and that’s part of the charm. Dust happens.
Hills are steep. Some fans still miss the big old track.
But the energy here feels real. The owners keep improving, and fans keep showing up to watch the next chapter unfold.
I like how this place reflects the state itself. It’s stubborn, welcoming, and hard to count out.
If you have memories of racing here years ago, it might be time to make new ones. If you’ve never been, consider this your nudge.
Grab a chair, check the schedule, and head for those Mineral Wells hills. Somewhere between the green flag and the checkered, you’ll understand why people fought to bring it back.
